Regulation of toxic chemicals in the Mediterranean: the need for an adequate strategy

Recognising the need to regulate the impact of pollutants on the Mediterranean region, the Mediterranean States have formulated the Barcelona Convention and the protocols related to it. This incorporates commitments to reduce inputs of chemicals which have been retrospectively identified as harmful. In particular, the Convention has identified the organohalogens as a priority group. Any commitment, however, to reductions of chemical inputs assumes a comprehensive framework within which both these and the effects of control measures can be reliably quantified. There are a number of shortcomings which can be identified in existing systems in the Mediterranean region. Effluents, even with respect to the organohalogen group, are extremely complex in character. In the region as a whole, monitoring efforts are limited. Existing programmes do not allow input or input reduction data to be computed with adequate statistical power, or chemical phase-outs to be verified. This paper highlights some of the practical problems encountered with reference to organohalogen compounds and the advantages of regulating these compounds as a group. Analytical results from two case studies in the Mediterranean are presented to illustrate this and the results are discussed in relation to alternative strategies.